Shannon Mathre, 33, of Toledo, Ohio, was arrested by Secret Service agents and charged with threatening to kill and injure vice president JD Vance during his visit to the state last month, the US Department of Justice announced on 6/2. Mathre later appeared before a federal court judge in the Northern District of Ohio.

According to the indictment, Mathre allegedly stated, "I will find out where he is and use my M14 automatic rifle to kill him."

Shannon Mathre. Photo: 13ABC

During the investigation, federal agents also discovered multiple files containing child sexual abuse material owned by Mathre, the Department of Justice added. He is currently detained and will appear in court again on 11/2.

If convicted, Mathre faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum fine of 250,000 USD for threatening the vice president's life. He also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of 250,000 USD if convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material.

Experts have warned about political violence in the US, a country deeply divided in recent years. Earlier this week, a participant in the 6/1/2021 riot, who was later pardoned by president Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to harassment after being accused of threatening to kill House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Huyen Le (According to Reuters, 13ABC)